Much wheat and rye they
raised in the Dale, and especially at the nether end thereof. Apples
and pears and cherries and plums they had in plenty; of which trees,
some grew about the borders of the acres, some in the gardens of the
Thorp and the homesteads. On the slopes that had grown from the
breaking down here and there of the Northern cliffs, and which faced
the South and the Sun's burning, were rows of goodly vines, whereof
the folk made them enough and to spare of strong wine both white and
red.
As to their beasts; swine they had a many, but not many sheep, since
herein they trusted to their trucking with their friends the
Shepherds; they had horses, and yet but a few, for they were stout in
going afoot; and, had they a journey to make with women big with
babes, or with children or outworn elders, they would yoke their oxen
to their wains, and go fair and softly whither they would. But the
said oxen and all their neat were exceeding big and fair, far other
than the little beasts of the Shepherd-Folk; they were either dun of
colour, or white with black horns (and those very great) and black
tail-tufts and ear-tips.
Pages:
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29